Why Do I Get Diarrhea on My Period?

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Diarrhea during your period is caused by excess production of prostaglandins (pain chemicals) that enter the bloodstream, travel to the intestines (also called gut/ bowels), and irritate the intestinal lining, causing fast contractions and loose stools (diarrhea).

Diarrhea and loose stools (sometimes called “period poops”) are a very common digestive side effect of periods (menstruation). Like nausea and vomiting, diarrhea is directly related to the excess production of prostaglandins.

Diarrhea during your period confirms an overproduction of prostaglandins, meaning you are almost certainly suffering from period pain, also known as primary dysmenorrhea.

How Prostaglandins Cause Diarrhea:

  1. Muscle Contractions (The Squeeze): The prostaglandins make the walls of your intestines squeeze very fast. When these smooth muscles contract quickly, it pushes the stool through your gut too fast.
  2. Water Secretion (The Flush): Prostaglandins also tell your intestines to release extra water and electrolytes (like salt and potassium) into the gut lining.
    • What are Electrolytes? Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry an electric charge. They help control the amount of water in your cells. They are not a by-product of digestion; they are minerals already in your body that are needed for many functions.
    • The Effect: When the intestines secrete extra electrolytes, water naturally follows them. This sudden increase in water flushes into the stool.
  3. The Result: The combination of your gut squeezing too fast (The Squeeze) and the stool having too much water (The Flush) leads directly to diarrhea (looser and more frequent stools).

Stopping Diarrhea During Periods

For immediate relief, you must directly target the source – excess production of prostaglandins. Take a doctor-prescribed NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) early to block the production of prostaglandins.
Use gentle home remedies to calm intestinal irritation:

    • Warmth & Hydration: Sip warm water. Warm liquids soothe the entire digestive tract and help replenish fluids lost from loose stools.
    • Anti-Bloating: Drink Hing (Asafoetida) Water (mixed with warm water and black salt). This potent home remedy is highly effective at calming gas, spasms, and the vata dosha (air/movement) that contributes to rapid, loose stools.
Informational text explaining why diarrhea during menstruation can occur. It states that menstrual cramps and elevated prostaglandins—the chemicals responsible for period pain—enter the bloodstream and reach the intestines. This triggers rapid intestinal contractions and an increase in water in the stool, leading to watery bowel movements during period. The text notes that diarrhoea during period indicates high prostaglandin levels and recommends taking a doctor‑prescribed NSAID treatment for menstrual pain early to reduce prostaglandin production for immediate relief. The graphic ends with the campaign message "STOP The Period Pain." Which is a knowledge initiative campaign by Blue Cross Laboratories the makers of meftal spas.

Your Journey to #StopThePeriodPain Starts Here

Every month, millions of Indian girls & women suffer in silence, told that their severe period pain (dysmenorrhea) is “normal.” Our mission is to break that silence. #StopThePeriodPain campaign is here to empower you with 3 simple truths:

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References:

  1. Boroondara Osteopathy – Why do I feel low back pain during my period?